Festival of the Moors and Christians of Crevillent

A great parade accompanied by luxurious and spectacular costumes awaits you to celebrate the Moors and Christians Festival in Crevillente Join us in this great celebration!

What does the Moors and Christians Festival of Crevillente consist of?

The Moors and Christians Festival of Crevillente is a festival classified as of National and International Tourist Interest, which is held from 30 September to 4 October 2022. This great event is held in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Crevillente.

Crevillente is a municipality located in the Bajo Vinalopó region, in the south of the province of Alicante. This popular festival is characterised by its historical elements, reflected in the names of the "comparsas" and their "Embajadas", which have been declared an Intangible Asset of Local Relevance.

How are the Moors and Christians of Crevillente celebrated?

This popular festival lasts several days, starting with the main festivities of Crevillent. Twelve parades take place, six Moorish and six Christian, which form part of the Crevillentine fiesta, organised by the Moors and Christians Festivities Association.

From Friday to Monday different Christian and Moorish Entries are held, with a parade on Saturday and another one on Sunday, made up of twelve groups, six for each side.

Friday begins with the children's entrance and culminates with the Alardo or Alarde de Arcabucería. It ends with a popular and festive procession in honour of the town's patron saint, accompanied by an impressive firework display.

In these festivities full of music and joy, the women are the main protagonists, performing majestic ballets and choreographies. In the two entrances, Christian and Moorish, the queens and sultanas show off their elegant, colourful and brilliant costumes in all the comparsas.

Origins of the Moors and Christians Festival of Crevillente

This popular festival has been celebrated since 1965, and commemorates the pact between Moors and Christians that took place in the 13th century. The Crevillente Moors rendered vassalage to the Aragonese King James I by capitulation, as a symbol of fraternity and tolerance between peoples.

Curiosities of the Crevillente Moors and Christians Festival

Find out some curious and interesting facts about this festivity:

• The Embassies have been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. They are theatrical pieces with historical content that evoke the fights between Moors and Christians.
• The Town Hall organises a large Barraca Popular with concerts.
• A theatrical performance set in a castle in the 13th century takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución, in which the Moors of Creville pay vassalage to the Aragonese King Jaime I. It has been declared an Asset of Local Immaterial Relevance.

Recommendations for visitors

If you want to make the most of these festivities, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and footwear.

What else can you see or do in the town if you visit Crevillente?

We invite you to visit these magnificent historical and cultural sites in Crevillente:

• Church of Nuestra Señora de Belén: it is considered the largest parish church in the Diocese of Alicante, whose construction dates back to 1772. It contains works of art by Mariano Benlliure.
• Museo Pintor Julio Quesada: it exhibits more than 200 works by the painter Julio Quesada, considered the best watercolourist of the 20th century.
• Casal Fester: this building exhibits characteristic elements of the Moors and Christians fiestas, such as the costumes of queens, sultanas and captains, objects and posters announcing the fiesta.
• Casa Museo Contemporáneo de Arte y Ciencia: a neoclassicist building with 29,000 m2 of wooded area. It has a room dedicated to Illustrious Crevillentinos, as well as the Municipal Art Gallery and a building dedicated to Crevillentina archaeology and palaeontology.
• Mariano Benlliure Municipal Museum: has a permanent collection of 128 works, drawings, paintings and a documentary archive.

Gastronomy of Crevillente

The gastronomy of Crevillente is very varied and its rice dishes are the stars of the table. Discover some of the delicious dishes typical of this town:

Paellas: rice with rabbit and snails, rice and tripe, as well as other varieties of paella. Then try the infusion of "Herbetes de Cantauesso".Gachamiga: this is one of the traditional dishes of the winter season, made with flour dough, cod crumbs and garlic.Arròs caldòs: a dish made with rice, pulses and vegetables.Cocido con pelotas: a rich chickpea, potato and vegetable stew, with meatballs made with minced meat, breadcrumbs, pine nuts and spices.Pa Torrat: this is the main dish during Easter, accompanied by cod and baked garlic, tender broad beans and local wine. Coca: try the 14 varieties: anchovies, sardines, muffins, vegetables, ham and cheese and tuna and egg.Sweet foods: Toña (a large round bun with sugar), Torrijas (sweetened fried bread) and Pan de Higo (with dried figs and almonds).

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